Using social networking tools to engage the wisdom of teachers

Collaboration within my high school is seemingly unheard of, especially for the English teachers. Every semester I have to make 2 of my own curriculum at least, because there is no curriculum. We have a book a list, and dependent on what book we choose to teach, we make our own curriculum that goes with it. I never get to teach the same thing twice either, because every semester I get a class I have never taught before. There is no unity, no common goal, no common assessment. Everyone fends for themselves.

I found it extremely intriguing that composition instructors are using various online tools to collaborate with each other and their students, especially for curricula that are heavily used. I am also appreciative that the authors gave links to these networking tools with a brief description for each tool. Our culture has already moved into the digital realm, and yes, schools are failing to keep up. Although, for my Master's program, all of my classes, except for 2, required some type of online discussion board or tool to post up our work on. By being a students I am also learning how to hopefully use this technology in the future as a teacher.

Through the use of social networking tools and discussion boards I can honestly say that I felt more comfortable with my peers in class. Online discussions is a non-threatening realm. Because I was able to read my peers' thoughts and opinions prior to class, I felt as if I was more comfortable open a discussion with them in class. I know that my peers felt the same way, because they were approaching me in class as well. It made class more enjoyable because we were all comfortable with each other because the social hesitance and anxiety was nixed by online discussions. The professor also seemed more like a human being instead of this super human being on a pedestal that lives in a different world separate from my own. The class was more productive because of online tools. No one was shy to pipe up in class, or be embarrassed or scared on what we had to offer in class. Second guessing ourselves was limited because we weren't afraid of being judged. This community created definitely made my educational experience more enjoyable, and I believe my capacity to learn was increased because I was comfortable enough to learn.